Motor heater



April 25, 1950 P. GEATSINGER MOTOR HEATER Filed July 19, 1946 Inventor Paul Braizxinger' A Ito rneys Patented Apr. 25, 1950 ITED F Fl-C E MOTOR HEATER Paul Gratsinger, BinghamtonQNQY.

Application July 19, 1946, Serial No. 684,996

1 Claim. 1

The present invention relates to heating means for motors, such as internal combustion engines. During freezing weather, the water in the cooling systems of internal combustion engines will freeze, especially when low in anti-freeze compound content. This frequently happens in garages, where if suitable electric heating means were provided for the motor, the usual commercial current supply available in the garage could be used.

Therefore, it is an important object of the present invention to provide an electric heater for temporary installation in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, which will automatically energize upon a drop in temperature below a certain degree range, with the result that in cold weather, the water of a motor cooling system can be maintained warm throughout the night and without personal attention, to the end, that the engine may be easily started when called upon.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an electric heater for internal combustion engines which can be readily installed and connected with a conventional current supply source for automatic operation.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an internal combustion engine equipped with the improved heater.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through the heater.

Figure 3 is a cross-section taken on line 33 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing, numeral 5 generally refers to an internal combustion engine of the type preferably having a heat indicator connection 6 and to this is connected a hose 1 which extends to a nipple 8 at one end of the heater unit generally referred to by numeral 9. The other end of this unit has a nipple I I) over which one end of a hose H is disposed, while the other end of the hose 'll connects to a fitting 12 in the usual lower radiator hose [3.

The heater 9 consists of a shell M of any desired cross-sectional shape and from the ends of which project the nipples 8, l0.

Suitably supported within the shell M by pins or other spacer means, is an elongated barrel I5 having partitions l6, I1 and I8 therein of some insulating material. Between the partitions l6, I1 is a body 19 around which a heating element iii) 20 is coiled, conductors 2|, 22 extending from the ends oi. this coil, through openings 23 in the partition ll, to connect to thermostatic elements 24, 25, which have their ends suitably secured to the opposed walls of an opening 26 in the partition l8 and to one side of a two wire conductor 21, the other wire of which connects to the element 25.

A tubular neck 28 extends from one end of the barrel [5 and upwardly through an opening in one end portion of the shell Hi. The neck 28 is preferably welded or otherwise secured firmly to the shell I4.

At a temperature above approximately 80 degrees, the thermostatic elements 24, will remain spaced apart, these elements being located in a chamber 29 defined by the partitions l7, I8. This is assuming that the conductor 27 is connected with a suitable source of electricity.

When the temperature drops below degrees,

at which temperature the cooling system normally maintains the engine warm enough to easily start, the thermostatic elements 24, 25 contact, thus closing the circuit including the heating element 20, which upon becoming heated, produces a high temperature, to the end, that water passing through the shell l4, becomes heated by contact with the hot barrel [5.

The heater 9 is set at a vertical angle, as is shown in Figure 1 and water, as it becomes heated, will rise through the heater and circulation will start, in a short time heating the motor and maintaining the motor heated to a temperature above approximately 80 degrees, until the conductor 2'! is disconnected.

This device can be easily installed during cold weather and will automatically operate, so lon as the conductor 21 is connected with a source of current.

While the foregoing description sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

A removable heater unit for the cooling systems of internal combustion engines comprising a shell having reduced portions at each of its ends forming nipples for receiving hose ends in a cooling system, a barrel disposed in the shell and containing an electric heating element and current conducting means extending from the outside of the shell to the heating element of the barrel. said barrel being provided with a pair of internal 3 partitions of insulation between which the heating element is interposed and a third partition of insulation in the barrel to which the conducting means is led, and a thermostatic element mounted on the last mentioned partition and being electrically connected and interposed between the conducting means and heating element, said thermostatic element comprising a pair of spring metal contact arms adapted to move toward and contact each other upon the lowering of temperature of fluid in said hose to a predetermined degree.

PAUL GRATSINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Furstenau May 15, 1923 Whitely Aug. 19, 1924 Manassero June 14, 1927 Walz Apr. 23, 1929 Bowen Sept. 10, 1929 Turnwald May 27, 1930 Wertz Dec. 15, 1931 Smith Mar. 5, 1940 Sage May 21, 1940 Morgan et a1. Oct. 8, 1940 

